Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method of reducing interference in a mobile communications network, wherein the mobile communications network comprises one or more infrastructure devices and one or more terminals: the infrastructure devices being configured to send and/or receive wireless signals with the one or more terminals, the method comprising: estimating an interference level in the mobile communication network; in the event that the interference level is detected as being above a satisfactory threshold: selecting an infrastructure device of the one or more infrastructure devices which is currently serving the one or more terminals as one of a base station or an uplink and downlink relay node configured to relay uplink and downlink transmissions from and to the one or more terminals, and configuring the infrastructure device to serve the one or more terminals as an uplink relay node such that it relays uplink transmissions from the one or more terminals and does not send downlink signals to the one or more terminals; in the event that the interference level is detected as being below a satisfactory threshold: selecting an infrastructure device currently serving the one or more terminals as an uplink relay node such that it relays uplink transmissions from the one or more terminals and does not send downlink signals to the one or more terminals, and configuring the infrastructure device to serve the one or more terminals as one of a base station or an uplink and downlink relay node configured to relay uplink and downlink transmissions from and to the one or more terminals; receiving, by an infrastructure device serving the one or more terminals as an uplink relay node, an indicator of a first uplink resource grant for the one or more terminals and an indicator of a second uplink resource grant for the one or more terminals; receiving, by the infrastructure device, first uplink signals from the one or more terminals, wherein the first uplink signals are sent via resources allocated via the first uplink resource grant; receiving, by the infrastructure device, second uplink signals sent by the one or more terminals, wherein the second uplink signals are sent via resources allocated via the second uplink resource grant; and combining, by the infrastructure device, the first uplink signals with the second uplink signals to generate combined uplink signals by performing network coding, wherein the relayed signal is based on the combined uplink signals.
The method reduces interference in mobile communications networks by dynamically adjusting the role of infrastructure devices, such as base stations or relay nodes, based on interference levels. The network includes infrastructure devices that communicate with terminals, handling both uplink and downlink transmissions. When interference exceeds a threshold, an infrastructure device currently serving as a base station or a bidirectional relay node is reconfigured to act solely as an uplink relay node, forwarding uplink signals from terminals without transmitting downlink signals. Conversely, if interference falls below the threshold, an infrastructure device operating as an uplink relay node is reconfigured to resume its original role as a base station or bidirectional relay node. The method also involves receiving two separate uplink resource grants for terminals, processing uplink signals from these grants, and combining them using network coding to generate a relayed signal. This approach optimizes network performance by dynamically adapting to interference conditions while improving uplink transmission efficiency through signal combining.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: amplifying, by the infrastructure device, the received first uplink signals before transmitting the relayed signals.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically methods for relaying uplink signals in a network. The problem addressed is the limited range and reliability of direct communication between user devices and a base station, particularly in scenarios with obstacles or long distances. The solution involves an infrastructure device that receives first uplink signals from a user device, processes these signals, and transmits relayed signals to a base station. The relayed signals are modified to include additional information, such as a relay identifier, to distinguish them from direct transmissions. The infrastructure device also amplifies the received uplink signals before relaying them to improve signal strength and reliability. This amplification compensates for signal attenuation during transmission, ensuring that the relayed signals reach the base station with sufficient quality. The method enhances network coverage and connectivity by extending the effective range of user devices while maintaining signal integrity. The infrastructure device acts as an intermediary, facilitating seamless communication between user devices and the base station in challenging environments.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: decoding, by the infrastructure device, the received first uplink signals; and generating, by the infrastructure device, the relayed signals based on the decoded first uplink signals.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically improving signal relay in infrastructure devices to enhance network coverage and reliability. The problem addressed is the inefficient handling of uplink signals in relay scenarios, where infrastructure devices (such as base stations or repeaters) may not properly decode or process received signals before relaying them, leading to errors or degraded performance. The invention describes a method where an infrastructure device receives first uplink signals from a user device. These signals are then decoded by the infrastructure device to extract the original data. After decoding, the infrastructure device generates relayed signals based on the decoded information. This ensures that the relayed signals are accurately reconstructed and free from errors introduced during transmission. The method may also involve transmitting the relayed signals to a target device, such as another base station or a core network component, to complete the communication path. By decoding the uplink signals before relaying, the invention improves signal integrity and reduces the likelihood of errors in the relayed data. This is particularly useful in scenarios where the original uplink signals may be weak or corrupted, ensuring reliable communication in challenging environments. The method can be applied in various wireless networks, including cellular, Wi-Fi, or other radio-based systems, to enhance overall network performance.
4. A network element configured to reduce interference in a mobile communications network, wherein the mobile communications network comprises a relay node and a terminal, the network element comprising: circuitry configured to estimate an interference level in the mobile communication network; control the relay node to serve the terminal as an uplink relay node such that it relays uplink transmissions from the terminal to a base station and does not send downlink signals to the terminal in a case that the estimated interference level is above a threshold value; control the relay node to serve the terminal as an uplink and downlink relay node to relay uplink and downlink signals from and to the terminal in a case that the estimated interference level is below the threshold value; and control the relay serving the one or more terminals as an uplink relay node to receive an indicator of a first uplink resource grant for the one or more terminals and an indicator of a second uplink resource grant for the one or more terminals; receive first uplink signals from the one or more terminals, wherein the first uplink signals are sent via resources allocated via the first uplink resource grant; receive second uplink signals sent by the one or more terminals, wherein the second uplink signals are sent via resources allocated via the second uplink resource grant; and combine the first uplink signals with the second uplink signals to generate combined uplink signals by performing network coding, wherein the relayed signal is based on the combined uplink signals.
This invention relates to reducing interference in mobile communications networks, particularly in scenarios involving relay nodes and terminals. The problem addressed is managing interference in networks where relay nodes assist in communication between terminals and base stations. The solution involves a network element that dynamically adjusts relay node behavior based on interference levels to optimize network performance. The network element includes circuitry to estimate interference levels in the network. If the interference exceeds a threshold, the relay node operates solely as an uplink relay, forwarding terminal uplink transmissions to the base station without sending downlink signals. This reduces interference by avoiding unnecessary downlink transmissions. When interference is below the threshold, the relay node functions as both uplink and downlink relay, handling bidirectional communication with the terminal. Additionally, the network element controls relay nodes serving multiple terminals to manage uplink resource grants. It receives indicators of two uplink resource grants for the terminals, collects uplink signals transmitted via these grants, and combines them using network coding to generate a single relayed signal. This approach enhances spectral efficiency and reduces interference by consolidating multiple transmissions into a single relayed signal. The solution improves network reliability and performance by dynamically adapting relay operations based on interference conditions and optimizing resource utilization.
5. The network element of claim 4 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to control the relay node to switch from operating as the uplink relay node to operating as the uplink and downlink relay node in the case that the estimated interference level is below the threshold value.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to managing relay nodes in cellular networks to optimize performance and reduce interference. The problem addressed is the need to dynamically adjust relay node operations to balance uplink and downlink traffic while minimizing interference in the network. The invention involves a network element with circuitry configured to estimate an interference level in a wireless communication network. The circuitry is also configured to control a relay node to operate in different modes based on the estimated interference level. The relay node can function as an uplink relay node, a downlink relay node, or both uplink and downlink relay node. The circuitry compares the estimated interference level to a predefined threshold value. If the interference level is above the threshold, the relay node operates only as an uplink relay node to reduce interference. If the interference level is below the threshold, the relay node switches to operating as both uplink and downlink relay node to improve overall network capacity and efficiency. The circuitry may also monitor the interference level over time and adjust the relay node's operation mode dynamically to maintain optimal performance. This dynamic switching helps balance network load and interference, ensuring efficient use of network resources while maintaining service quality. The invention is particularly useful in dense wireless networks where interference management is critical for reliable communication.
6. The network element of claim 4 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to control the relay node to switch from operating as the uplink and downlink relay node to operating as the uplink relay node in the case that the estimated interference level is above the threshold value.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to a network element that manages relay nodes to optimize network performance by reducing interference. The problem addressed is excessive interference in wireless networks, particularly when relay nodes operate in both uplink and downlink modes simultaneously, degrading signal quality and throughput. The invention provides a network element with circuitry that monitors interference levels and dynamically adjusts relay node operations to mitigate interference. The network element includes circuitry configured to estimate an interference level in a wireless communication network. If the estimated interference level exceeds a predefined threshold, the circuitry controls a relay node to switch from operating as both an uplink and downlink relay to functioning solely as an uplink relay. This selective mode switching reduces interference by preventing the relay node from simultaneously transmitting and receiving signals, which can cause signal collisions and degradation. The circuitry may also be configured to perform additional functions, such as determining the threshold value based on network conditions or user equipment (UE) requirements, and coordinating with other network elements to optimize relay node operations. The solution improves network efficiency by dynamically adapting relay node behavior to minimize interference while maintaining reliable communication links.
7. The network element of claim 4 , wherein the network element is the base station.
A network element, such as a base station, is configured to manage communication in a wireless network by dynamically adjusting transmission parameters to optimize performance. The base station includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the base station to monitor network conditions, such as signal quality, interference levels, and traffic load. Based on this monitoring, the base station dynamically adjusts transmission parameters, including power levels, modulation schemes, and resource allocation, to improve signal reliability and reduce interference. The adjustments are made in real-time to adapt to changing network conditions, ensuring efficient use of available resources while maintaining service quality. The base station may also coordinate with other network elements to further optimize performance across the network. This approach enhances overall network efficiency, reduces latency, and improves user experience by dynamically adapting to varying environmental and operational factors.
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May 5, 2020
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